Embassy Series: Pianist Till Fellner
• March 16, 2015

On March 6, the Embassy Series, a non-profit which Jerome Barry founded with the mission to unite people through musical diplomacy, presented internationally acclaimed Austrian pianist Till Fellner at the Embassy of Austria. The program featured works by Mozart, Bach and Schumann as well as a specially commissioned work dedicated to Fellner by contemporary composer Aleksandar Stankovski. The evening concluded with a buffet of Austrian treats prepared by the embassy chef.
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GB Group Global Salutes African Women Leaders
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The second annual Leadership Awards dinner by GB Group Global was held March 4 at the Willard Intercontinental with the theme, “Celebrating Global Women: Women leaders who lead through political participation, corporate leadership and entrepreneurship.” Awardees included Joyce Banda, former President of Malawi, Ambassador Amina Ali of the African Union Mission, Angolan entrepreneur Isabel dos Santos, Fumbi Chima, vice president of International Integration for Wal-Mart, and Joan Wages, president and CEO of National Women’s History Museum.
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Wegman at Lombardi Salutes Arts
• March 11, 2015

William Wegman is best known for the enchanting photos of his Weimaraner dogs. On Jan. 29, he was at the Georgetown Lombardi Comprehensive Cancer Center where he read to patients, signed his latest book, “Flo & Wendell Explore,” and donated five of his works in honor of his colleague Emily Heick, a breast cancer survivor. The reception hailed Julia Langley, who launched the Arts and Humanities Program. [gallery ids="101997,135298" nav="thumbs"]

Concierges and an Oscars Party
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Les Clefs d’Or USA (the national professional association of hotel concierges . . . the Golden Keys Society) in conjunction with the Washington Area Concierge Association, celebrated Oscar Night Feb. 22 at Josh Levin’s West End Cinema with a special red carpet walk and viewing of the nine-Oscar nominated “The Grand Budapest Hotel.” [gallery ids="101998,135296,135294,135288" nav="thumbs"]

Philanthropy, Fashion Meet at ‘An Affair of the Heart’
• February 26, 2015

The Women’s Board of the American Heart Association Greater Washington Region logged 1,000 hours in planning this year’s always anticipated event which drew 1,200 attendees to the Marriott Wardman Park Hotel on Feb. 9 to raise awareness of cardiovascular health issues, the number-one killer among women. Autria Godfrey of ABC7/WJLA-TV emceed and Barbara McConaghy Johnson produced the stunning fashion show of spring 2015 styles from Bloomingdale’s, Chevy Chase. In a special video greeting, news anchor Bret Baier hailed Richard Jonas, M.D., who has overseen their young son’s struggle with congenital heart disease.
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Pen/Faulkner’s Founding Friends Luncheon with Sarah Wildman
• February 12, 2015

Alma and John Pat were the hosts of the Jan. 29 literary luncheon co-chaired by Katherine Field Stephen and Willee Lewis. The author of “Paper Love: Searching for the Girl My Grandfather Left Behind” spoke of how her discovery of a cache of letters written to her grandfather revealed a love affair torn asunder by Nazi-occupied Austria. On a lighter note, host John Paty told the overflow crowd, “We had to break out the Christmas china.”

Winter Show Sails to ‘Ports of Call’
• January 29, 2015

The Washington Winter Show themed “Ports of Call” was held at the Katzen Arts Center at American University Jan. 8 to 11 to raise funds for three local charities serving the needs of at-risk children and families by sponsoring an annual show devoted to antiques and fine arts. The Sponsors, Benefactors and Designers Champagne Reception provided an advance look at the exhibits of 45 premier dealers from the United States and Europe. The Jan. 9 lecture and luncheon featured attorney and museum professional Amy Herman, who has trained medical and law enforcement officials to hone their observation, perception and communication skills by analyzing works of art. Historian and sailor Gary Jobson spoke Jan. 10 on the Oracle Team’s successful defense of the America’s Cup trophy. The 2015 Loan Exhibit, “Vessels of Victory,” displayed silver trophies awarded for victories in naval battles and in competitive sailing.
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Capricorn Party Honors Sarnoff
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Under heightened security, guests entered the Embassy of France Jan. 14 to attend the first Capricorn party, named after the late legendary Lolo Sarnoff’s annual birthday fete. Sarnoff was truly a renaissance figure who excelled as a Swiss-German artist, scientist and philanthropist. In 1988, at age 72, she founded greater Washington’s Arts for the Aging (AFTA) to engage older adults in health improvement and life enhancement through the arts. AFTA Director & CEO Janine Tursini remembered Sarnoff as “my friend and mentor.” Matt Hastings recalled Lolo’s wit when she remarked, “They tell me the music is country. Which country?”

Amb. Szapary Feted at Schott Home
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Firmly entrenched in the diplomatic community, Hungarian-born Aniko Gaal Schott and her husband Nash welcomed guests to their embassy-elegant home Jan. 16 to bid farewell to Hungarian Ambassador Gyorgy Szapary, who will return to Budapest. They also chose the occasion to welcome visiting friend Csaba Kael, the CEO and artistic director of “MUPA,” Hungary’s Palace of the Arts, which is the largest performing arts center in Central Europe. Guests enjoyed elegant hors d’oeuvres and a caviar-laden buffet of temptations.

Bulgaria’s National Day
• January 16, 2015

Ambassador of the Republic of Bulgaria Elena Poptodorova and her husband Georgi Petrov celebrated the National Day of the Republic of Bulgaria, which falls on March 3, at the Organization of American States on March 5. The ambassador expressed her appreciation to the musicians for the beautiful rendition of the countries’ national anthems. She called the occasion a day of optimism and acknowledged U.S. government representatives, members of the armed services and the diplomatic corps. She cited Bulgaria’s membership in NATO and the European Union and thanked civil society and Washington society for their consistent friendship.? [gallery ids="116970,116961,116980,116985,116997,116991" nav="thumbs"]